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Appeal to the Church
427
to speak understandingly of health reform. Those who have not been
converted to health reform, and have never fully adopted it, are not
judges of its benefits. Those who digress occasionally to gratify the
taste in eating a fattened turkey or other flesh meats, pervert their
appetites, and are not the ones to judge of the benefits of the system
of health reform They are controlled by taste, not by principle.
I have a well-set table on all occasions. I make no change
for visitors, whether believers or unbelievers. I intend never to be
surprised by an unreadiness to entertain at my table from one to half
a dozen extra who may chance to come in. I have enough simple,
healthful food ready to satisfy hunger and nourish the system. If
any want more than this, they are at liberty to find it elsewhere. No
butter or flesh meats of any kind come on my table. Cake is seldom
found there. I generally have an ample supply of fruits, good bread,
and vegetables. Our table is always well patronized, and all who
partake of the food do well, and improve upon it. All sit down with
no epicurean appetite, and eat with a relish the bounties supplied by
our Creator.
A wonderful indifference has been manifested upon this impor-
tant subject by those right at the heart of the work. The lack of
stability in regard to the principles of health reform is a true index of
their character and their spiritual strength. They are deficient in thor-
oughness in their Christian experience. Conscience is not regarded.
The basis or cause of every right action existing and operating in the
renewed heart secures obedience without external or selfish motives.
The spirit of truth and a good conscience are sufficient to inspire and
regulate the motives and conduct of those who learn of Christ and
are like Him. Those who have no strength of religious principle in
themselves are easily swayed, by the example of others, in a wrong
direction. Those who have never learned their duty from God, and
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acquainted themselves with His purposes concerning them, are not
reliable in times of severe conflict with the powers of darkness. They
are swayed by external and present appearances. Worldly men are
governed by worldly principles; they can appreciate no other. But
Christians should not be governed by these principles. They should
not seek to strengthen themselves in the performance of duty by any
other consideration than a love to obey every requirement of God as
found in His word and dictated by an enlightened conscience.